Hotel Indigo Xiamen Harbour

Prologue

With its striking glass exterior and edgy design intended to reflect the local culture and neighbourhood, the 128-room Hotel Indigo Xiamen Harbour stands out as a landmark amongst the varied accommodation options in the southern Chinese port city of Xiamen. We experience the city’s only global branded boutique hotel.

Location / Accessibility

Occupying a prime waterfront location, the hotel is conveniently located on the southwest of Xiamen, with Gaoqi International Airport, the railway station and Xiamen International Cruise Terminal a short drive away. A walk down Lujiang Road takes us to the Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street and ferry pier for the 5-minute crossing to Gulangyu Island, while taxis were readily available to explore locations further afield.

Arrival Experience

Driving up to the Hotel Indigo Xiamen Harbour’s entrance, the bell staff were quickly present to greet and offer luggage assistance. Inside the modern and artistic lobby, we were again greeted by the front desk staff who invited us to have a seat while check-in formalities were processed.

Our Priority Club Rewards status was promptly acknowledged and the details of our reservation confirmed. We had made requests for a high floor and quiet room prior to arrival, which were already arranged with the keys prepared and we were soon on the way to the room.

Guestrooms

The hotel’s modern chinoiserie decor extends to the guest floors with ornaments and artwork that reflect Xiamen’s history as a confluence of eastern and western cultures placed around the corridors. Wood finishes and contrasting grey-coloured carpeting cleverly create an illusion of space to the otherwise narrow building and contribute to the funky vibe of the property.

The guestrooms here are amongst the best we have stayed in – spacious with modern technology and equipped with top-notch amenities. Large, panoramic windows reveal the Gulangyu landscape when the automated blinds are drawn and the King-sized bed was extremely comfortable with a plush duvet, although the pillows were slightly on the softer side.

We like the open-plan bathroom with its compact design. The rounded shape of the rainforest shower cubicle meant that there was plenty of space with no corners to knock into, while the smart toilet’s automated features are some of the most advanced we have seen.

For entertainment, each guestroom had a wall-mounted 32-inch LCD television. Programming was largely limited to local content with some international channels. Points gained for a connectivity panel and multiple power outlets that guests could utilize to plug in their personal devices.

Dining

Hotel Indigo Xiamen Harbourview’s sole dining outlet, Quay, is a multi-functional living space. An all-day dining restaurant in the day, this was where a semi-buffet breakfast was served every morning with a good continental spread and hot items catering to Asian and western tastes made-to-order.

By night, the venue transforms into a lounge for drinks and light meals. While a quiet space to relax, we found that it can be further improved as a full-fledged lounge with a greater drinks selection and a better ambience to utilize its outstanding view across the water.

Facilities

Located on the other end of the floor from Quay is a compact lounge and internet room with iMacs for guest usage. The hotel also boasts 3 meeting rooms that can accommodate small groups and discussions.

Recreation onsite is provided in the form of a fitness room equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and weight-training machines. Beyond the property, each guestroom is provided with a running card detailing suggested running routes and bicycles are available for loan to guests.

Service / Staff

During our stay, we found that the hotel’s staff members proved to be its greatest asset. From the front desk agent and concierge to the restaurant wait staff, all the employees we encountered were friendly, professional and ready-to-assist with even the most difficult requests, doing so with a genuine warmth and desire to serve.

Verdict

With its fantastic location, top-notch product and excellent service, IHG’s Hotel Indigo Xiamen Harbour is a game changer for the hotel market in the city. Maintaining its boutique feel with the reliability and standards of an international chain, the hotel is our pick for accommodation when in Xiamen.